Open Claw is model-agnostic, supporting the latest AI models including Claude Opus 4.6, GPT-5, Chinese AI leaders (Kimi K2.5, GLM 5, MiniMax 2.5), and local models via Ollama integration. Bring your own API keys and choose your preferred model.
Important: Open Claw is NOT a new AI model. OpenClaw is a model-agnostic AI agent platform that uses existing AI models as its "brain." This means you bring your own API keys and choose which AI model powers your Open Claw agent.
The Open Claw model-agnostic architecture provides several key advantages:
Most capable Claude model for complex tasks. Best for advanced reasoning, creative work, and nuanced understanding.
Flagship Claude model balancing capability and cost. Recommended for most Open Claw workflows.
Faster responses with good capability. Ideal for interactive Open Claw sessions.
Fastest and most affordable Claude model. Best for simple, high-volume Open Claw tasks.
Latest OpenAI flagship model with advanced reasoning and multimodal capabilities. Excellent for general Open Claw tasks.
Code-optimized variant of GPT-5. Best Open Claw model for programming and technical tasks.
Leading Chinese AI model with excellent long-context understanding. Great for Chinese language Open Claw workflows.
Advanced Chinese bilingual model with strong reasoning. Solid choice for Open Claw bilingual workflows.
Emerging Chinese AI with competitive performance. Cost-effective option for Open Claw users.
Strong reasoning model with excellent code capabilities. Alternative choice for Open Claw technical tasks.
Announced February 1, 2026: Open Claw now supports local AI models through Ollama integration. This enables completely offline OpenClaw operation with zero API costs.
Quick Start:
ollama launch openclaw
Requirements for Open Claw local models:
Recommended local models for Open Claw:
Open Claw includes built-in OpenRouter support for automatic model selection and cost optimization. OpenRouter acts as a unified API gateway to multiple AI providers.
OpenRouter benefits for Open Claw users:
Configure OpenRouter in your Open Claw settings to enable automatic model selection based on task requirements and budget constraints.
| Model | Provider | Context | Best For | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Opus 4.6 | Anthropic | 200K | Complex reasoning, creative work | $$$ |
| Claude 4.5 Opus | Anthropic | 200K | General tasks, recommended default | $$ |
| Claude 4.5 Sonnet | Anthropic | 200K | Fast responses, interactive use | $ |
| Claude 4.5 Haiku | Anthropic | 200K | Simple queries, high volume | $ |
| GPT-5 | OpenAI | 128K | General tasks, multimodal | $$ |
| GPT-5.3-Codex | OpenAI | 128K | Programming, code tasks | $$ |
| Kimi K2.5 | Moonshot AI | 200K | Chinese language, documents | $$ |
| GLM 5 | Zhipu AI | 128K | Bilingual, reasoning | $ |
| MiniMax 2.5 | MiniMax | 128K | Cost-effective Chinese | $ |
| Local Models | Ollama | 64K+ | Privacy, zero cost | Free |
Setting up your preferred AI model in Open Claw is straightforward. Follow these steps to configure your OpenClaw agent:
Get API keys from your chosen provider (Anthropic, OpenAI, etc.) or install Ollama for local models
Navigate to your Open Claw workspace and open the configuration file or Web UI at http://127.0.0.1:18789/
Choose your preferred model provider (Anthropic, OpenAI, OpenRouter, or Ollama)
Add your API key to the configuration. For local models, ensure Ollama is running
Choose your specific model (e.g., claude-4.5-opus, gpt-5, kimi-k2.5)
Send a test message to verify Open Claw responds correctly with your chosen model
Recommended: Claude 4.5 Opus, GPT-5.3-Codex
These models excel at code generation, debugging, and technical documentation. Claude models have particularly strong reasoning for complex code architecture.
Recommended: Claude 4.5 Opus, GPT-5
Balanced performance across writing, analysis, and creative tasks. Good all-around capability for daily Open Claw use.
Recommended: Claude 4.5 Haiku, Local Models (Ollama)
Haiku offers fast, affordable responses for simple tasks. Local models via Ollama provide zero ongoing costs after setup.
Recommended: Local Models via Ollama
Complete offline operation with no data leaving your machine. Perfect for sensitive Open Claw workflows requiring maximum privacy.
Recommended: Kimi K2.5, GLM 5, MiniMax 2.5
Chinese AI models provide superior Chinese language understanding and generation for Open Claw users working primarily in Chinese.
Recommended: GPT-5, Claude 4.5 Opus
Both support image understanding alongside text. Great for Open Claw tasks involving visual content analysis.
Maximize value while minimizing costs with these Open Claw model strategies: